As well we've spent time in many of the smaller towns as part of hikes and similar outings.

I'm looking for ideas for this year's day trip. Burlington VT would be high on the list, but I think it's a little too far. Is there anywhere else in VT worth visiting that would be closer?

I also thought of doing a day at the Great Escape theme park but that's not really our thing. The attraction there is i could take the family to ride The Comet... a ride i rode as a kid every summer when it was still at Crystal Beach on Lake Erie.

Are there any other obvious towns worth visiting I'm not considering? Should we bite the bullet and do Burlington anyways?

I think Burlington is worth a visit- Church Street is a nice place to spend a few hours walking around, checking out stores, eating lunch or dinner, etc. It's a bit different than an "authentic remote village" experience, though.

Wanakena: Hike to High Rock on the Oswegatchie (or, bring a canoe and paddle the Oswegatchie), eat food at the Pine Cone Grill. A bit (a lot) less touristy but still a nice area to visit; just don't expect any stores.

Schroon Lake: Hike into Spectacle Pond in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, walk around downtown, eat at Sticks and Stones.

Ticonderoga: Visit the fort and/or visit Crown Point (or hike into Springhill Ponds in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness), not really sure about food here but I see there's a few options downtown. (Ticonderoga unfortunately is struggling a bit- the area never really recovered from the decision to route the Northway further west).

Towns like Long Lake, Keene Valley, Speculator, and Caroga Lake are worth visiting as well.

Thanks for the input guys. We have Fort George here in Niagara on the Canadian side and there's Fort Niagara on the US side... And we're not Trekkies, so we'll probably skip Ticonderoga. Checking out the Wild Center has always been on my radar so I'll keep that suggestion in mind, though Tupper Lake doesnt seem to have much charm for exploring. The kids love the Long Lake Beach, so that could happen as part of the trip.

I googled Church Street and the downtown Burlington area. It does look impressive. It's still 2.5 hours though. I'd consider doing the ferry on the way in for extra "adventure". If we don't make it out this year, I'd consider a trip specifically for Burlington another time when we're not at Wells.

Usually we do the trips spur of the moment style. For instance, we went to Cooperstown when it was thunderstorming all day in the Adirondacks. If poor weather was tracking south, i could maybe use that as an excuse for driving 2.5hrs north to VT.

If you go to Burlington, check out the Island Line trail, especially the Colchester Causeway that goes out into Lake Champlain. Best way is by bike, but there's a park at the Colchester end where you can leave the car and walk the causeway.

Checking out the Wild Center has always been on my radar so I'll keep that suggestion in mind, though Tupper Lake doesnt seem to have much charm for exploring.

You're not wrong, but it's worth pointing out that part of the reason for this is because most tourists tend to go other places (like Lake Placid) and spend money there instead. Tupper Lake has improved a lot (thanks largely in part to the Wild Center, which I believe was located there in part because the local economy is struggling) and it does still have a ways to go- and visitors to the area is something that can help this process a lot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OntarioSkiBum

I googled Church Street and the downtown Burlington area. It does look impressive. It's still 2.5 hours though. I'd consider doing the ferry on the way in for extra "adventure". If we don't make it out this year, I'd consider a trip specifically for Burlington another time when we're not at Wells.

I think this sounds like a good idea. Northern VT in general is well worth it's own trip/vacation.

Tick Magnet's suggestion of Albany actually isn't a bad one, if you've never visited the area. The State Museum is worth checking out; it takes about an hour for adults, maybe 2 hours if you've got kids. The Empire State Plaza is pretty neat for about 15 minutes. I think the Capitol does tours also. You've also got the floating museum on the USS Slater on the river, or you could take a river cruise on the Dutch Apple. Lark Street and nearby Washington Park is nice for walking around for an hour or so, and in addition to the places to eat on Lark Street there's the Pump Station Brewery and the Old English Pub down near the river.

Albany probably actually isn't worth a full multi-day trip in its own right, but if you were already staying nearby I'd say it is definitely worth a day trip. You could also pair a day in Albany with a future trip to the Catskills (another area that is well worth vacationing in if you've never done so).

I've been through Tupper Lake quite a few times... It seems to me they could do a lot more to be more interesting for visitors. The town's best and most prominent feature is the lake... But I want to say i recall No Swimming signs posted all along the edge in the local park there. We once went to the outdoor flea market there and that was okay... but seemed more like a locals thing (maybe that's a good thing though).

The old factory on the way in on Rt 3 takes away from the charm as well... Hopefully it supports good local jobs.

In the end, it seems they could do a better job of making the lake a centerpiece for the town. I wouldn't want to see it over developed though.

As well we've spent time in many of the smaller towns as part of hikes and similar outings.

I'm looking for ideas for this year's day trip. Burlington VT would be high on the list, but I think it's a little too far. Is there anywhere else in VT worth visiting that would be closer?

I also thought of doing a day at the Great Escape theme park but that's not really our thing. The attraction there is i could take the family to ride The Comet... a ride i rode as a kid every summer when it was still at Crystal Beach on Lake Erie.

Are there any other obvious towns worth visiting I'm not considering? Should we bite the bullet and do Burlington anyways?

Thanks everyone.

I live in Burlington - I'm at work now but can give you some tips/pointers when I'm home tonight.

North of Rutland, south of Burlington is one the great indoor and outdoor museums, 'Shelburne'...no one should miss it.
Bennington has some cool old cars on display and if you go there by coming from Troy you may well see a moose in the swamps on the mtn...rte 7
All the Champlain Ferry Rides are worthwhile.
I always enjoyed Rutland but don't have a clue anymore what is going on there now.
Plattsburg is bustling and plenty of things to see there and places to shop and eat.
May I assume you've visited the Adirondack Mt museum at Blue Mt?

I'll dribble in some posts in the next few days but the Shelburne Museum is awesome, a lot it is outdoors. Obviously you can google it.

Don't know if this is your jam, but this boat ride (really more of a cruise) on lake Champlain is very cool...the ADK's on one side, the Greens on the other. Here's a link to 50% off for 2- usually $45, it's like $22. You're not restricted to just 2 tix.

Maybe I missed the mention, but what about the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. If you do everything, it could take nearly the entire day, it involves some hiking and climbing to get to some of the peripheral exhibits, and the collection of boats, memorabilia, and buildings is second to none in the 'daks. Most of the transportation display was sacrificed for the "new" display that came with the new name (my aging memory refuses to remember it), but it is definitely cool to see Ann LaBastille's house without paddling all the way up Twitchell Lake, and the permanent art collection is also great, if they are not hosting a different show.

But I want to say i recall No Swimming signs posted all along the edge in the local park there.

I visited Toronto and found the same thing, there due to the thousands of geese and resulting rotten water quality.

New York State has regulations for provision of a public beach, requiring lifeguards, minimum square footage per bather, restrooms and water, etc., etc., etc. I'm pretty sure Ontario has all that, too. Tupper Lake has a bathing beach on Little Wolf Pond.https://www.tupperlakeny.gov/index.a...8&Type=B_BASIC

Hi Lucky, thanks for the suggestion on the museum. My wife and kids aren't too big on museums though as they're not ones to stop and read about what they're looking at. It could make for a good rainy day excursion though.

For Tupper Lake, i think the main point I was trying to make is that the more touristy ADK towns like LP, SL, and LG have their lakes as a focal point. In Tupper it's off to the side and not really incorporated into the town. Maybe that's a good thing for residents in that development is at a minimum.

As for Toronto, you're right that swimming is a no go in their downtown waterfront. I don't live in Toronto (nor would i ever), but the city residents are quite unhappy with their waterfront. They often cite Chicago's as a case study of a city that got it right. I've never been to Chicago but i understand there is much more water access than what is in Toronto.

Tupper has more going on then the Wild Center you just have to look. For swimming there is Little Wolf Beach, one of the nicest public beaches in the Park, or head down to Bog River Falls. Hiking check out the Tupper Triad, three family friendly hikes, or Lows Ridge. Use Corey's Rd trail head and hit the Seward Range, or Duck Hole, or Raquette Falls. Paddling, drop in at the "Crusher" and head up river to the falls, or explore the Bog River. We have two really good local breweries in Big Tupper, and Raquette River. Great restaurants like Little Italy, Well Dressed Foods, Amado's, and The Market Place.

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